U.S. patent application number 14/451791 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-12 for amusement vehicle, amusement environment for a vehicle and method of using the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is GKart Inc.. Invention is credited to Pierre-Luc Lefebvre, Alexandre Lemire.
Application Number | 20150041230 14/451791 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52447652 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150041230 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lefebvre; Pierre-Luc ; et
al. |
February 12, 2015 |
AMUSEMENT VEHICLE, AMUSEMENT ENVIRONMENT FOR A VEHICLE AND METHOD
OF USING THE SAME
Abstract
The present document describes an amusement vehicle for
interacting with at least another amusement vehicle in an amusement
environment, the amusement vehicle comprising: a chassis; a set of
wheels for rotatably supporting the chassis on a ground surface; a
motor mounted on the chassis for propelling the chassis on the
ground surface; a controller operably connected to the motor for
controlling the motor; and at least one of: a receiver mounted on
the chassis for receiving a first directional signal of the at
least another amusement vehicle only when the at least another
amusement vehicle is in substantial alignment with the receiver;
and a transmitter mounted on the chassis for transmitting a second
directional signal to one of the at least another amusement vehicle
in substantial alignment with the transmitter; the controller being
at least one of: operably connected to the receiver and being
configured to decode the first signal for controlling the motor in
accordance with instructions included in the first signal; and
operably connected to the transmitter and being configured to
encode the second signal prior to sending it to the at least
another amusement vehicle via the transmitter.
Inventors: |
Lefebvre; Pierre-Luc;
(St-Bruno, CA) ; Lemire; Alexandre; (Laval,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GKart Inc. |
St-Bruno |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
52447652 |
Appl. No.: |
14/451791 |
Filed: |
August 5, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61864936 |
Aug 12, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
180/167 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63G 25/00 20130101;
A63G 33/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
180/167 |
International
Class: |
A63G 33/00 20060101
A63G033/00; G05D 1/00 20060101 G05D001/00; A63G 25/00 20060101
A63G025/00 |
Claims
1. An amusement vehicle for interacting with at least another
amusement vehicle in an amusement environment, the amusement
vehicle comprising: a chassis; a set of wheels for rotatably
supporting the chassis on a ground surface; a motor mounted on the
chassis for propelling the chassis on the ground surface; a
controller operably connected to the motor for controlling the
motor; and at least one of: a receiver mounted on the chassis for
receiving a first directional signal of the at least another
amusement vehicle only when the at least another amusement vehicle
is in substantial alignment with the receiver; and a transmitter
mounted on the chassis for transmitting a second directional signal
to one of the at least another amusement vehicle in substantial
alignment with the transmitter; the controller being at least one
of: operably connected to the receiver and being configured to
decode the first signal for controlling the motor in accordance
with instructions included in the first signal; and operably
connected to the transmitter and being configured to encode the
second signal prior to sending it to the at least another amusement
vehicle via the transmitter.
2. The amusement vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a signal
sensor for receiving a third signal from at least one of: a
decelerating interacting element, an accelerating interacting
element and a random interacting element position on the ground
surface of the amusement environment in substantial alignment with
the signal sensor, wherein the controller is being operably
connected to the signal sensor and being configured to decode the
third signal for controlling the motor in accordance with
instructions included in the third signal.
3. The amusement vehicle of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is
located near a front portion of the chassis and the receiver is
located near a rear portion of the chassis.
4. The amusement vehicle of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
first signal and the second signal is encoded to cause at least one
of: accelerating the amusement vehicle, accelerating the at least
another amusement vehicle, decelerating the amusement vehicle,
decelerating the at least another amusement vehicle, stopping the
at least another vehicle and side-slipping the at least another
vehicle.
5. The amusement vehicle of claim 1, wherein the transmitter and
the receiver respectively comprises a wireless transmitter and a
wireless receiver.
6. The amusement vehicle of claim 5, wherein the wireless
transmitter and the wireless receiver respectively transmit a
directional signal selected from the group consisting of: infra-red
and laser, or any combination thereof.
7. The amusement vehicle of claim 1, further comprising at least
one of: a user interface mounted on the chassis and operably
connected to the controller for controlling the amusement vehicle
and communication with the at least another amusement vehicle; an
indicator mounted on the chassis and operably connected to the
controller for indicating to a driver of the amusement vehicle
information about the first and second signals; a speaker mounted
on the chassis and operably connected to the controller for
providing the driver of the amusement vehicle a sonar indication;
and a push button mounted on the chassis and operably connected to
the controller for allowing the driver of the amusement vehicle to
transmit the second signal to the at least another amusement
vehicle.
8. The amusement vehicle of claim 7, wherein the indicator
comprises at least one of: a light indicator, a sound indicator and
a vibration indicator.
9. The amusement vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a speed
controller mounted on the chassis and operably connected to the
controller for controlling the speed of the vehicle in accordance
with the instructions included in the first signal.
10. The amusement vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a
communication system operatively connected to the controller for
allowing a circuit operator to manage at least one of: the
amusement environment and interactions between the amusement
vehicle and the at least another amusement vehicle.
11. A kit for installing on an amusement vehicle having a chassis,
a set of wheels and a motor the amusement vehicle for interacting
with at least another amusement vehicle in an amusement
environment, the kit comprising: at least one of: a receiver to be
mounted on the chassis for receiving a first directional signal
from the at least another amusement vehicle only when the at least
another amusement vehicle is in substantial alignment with the
receiver; and a transmitter to be mounted on the chassis for
transmitting a second directional signal to one of the at least
another amusement vehicle in substantial alignment with the
transmitter; and a controller to be mounted on the chassis and to
be at least one of: operably connected to the receiver and to be
configured to decode the first signal for controlling the motor in
accordance with instructions included in the first signal; and
operably connected to the transmitter and to be configured to
encode the second signal prior to sending it to the at least
another amusement vehicle via the transmitter.
12. The kit of claim 11, further comprising at least one of a
decelerating interacting element, an accelerating interacting
element and a random interacting element to be positioned on the
ground surface of the amusement environment.
13. The kit of claim 12, further comprising a signal sensor for
receiving a third signal from the at least one of: the decelerating
interacting element, the accelerating interacting element and the
random interacting element positioned on the ground surface of the
amusement environment in substantial alignment with the signal
sensor, wherein the controller is to be operably connected to the
signal sensor and configured to decode the third signal for
controlling the motor in accordance with instructions included in
the third signal.
14. The kit of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first signal
and the second signal comprises at least one of: accelerating the
amusement vehicle, accelerating the at least another amusement
vehicle, decelerating the amusement vehicle, decelerating the at
least another amusement vehicle, stopping the at least another
vehicle and side-slipping the at least another vehicle.
15. The kit of claim 11, wherein the transmitter and the receiver
respectively comprises a wireless transmitter and a wireless
receiver.
16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the wireless transmitter and the
wireless receiver respectively transmit and receive at least one
of: infra-red signals and radio-frequency identification
signals.
17. The kit of claim 11, further comprising at least one of: a user
interface to be mounted on the chassis and operably connected to
the controller for controlling the amusement vehicle and
communication with the at least another amusement vehicle; an
indicator to be mounted on the chassis and operably connected to
the controller for indicating to a driver of the amusement vehicle
information about the first and second signals; a speaker to be
mounted on the chassis and operably connected to the controller for
providing the driver of the amusement vehicle a sonar indication;
and a push button to be mounted on the chassis and operably
connected to the controller for allowing the driver of the
amusement vehicle to transmit the second signal to the at least
another amusement vehicle.
18. The kit of claim 11, further comprising a speed controller to
mounted on the chassis and operably connected to the controller for
controlling the speed of the vehicle in accordance with the
instructions included in the first signal.
19. The kit of claim 11, further comprising a communication system
to be operatively connected to the controller for allowing a
circuit operator to manage at least one of: the amusement
environment and interactions between the amusement vehicle and the
at least another amusement vehicle.
20. An amusement vehicle for interacting with at least another
amusement vehicle in an amusement environment, the amusement
vehicle comprising: a chassis; a set of wheels for rotatably
supporting the chassis on a ground surface; a motor mounted on the
chassis for propelling the chassis on the ground surface; a
controller operably connected to the motor for controlling the
motor; and a receiver located near a rear portion of the chassis
for receiving a first wireless signal of the at least another
amusement vehicle only when the at least another amusement vehicle
is in substantial alignment with the receiver; and a transmitter
located near a front portion of the chassis for transmitting a
second directional signal to one of the at least another amusement
vehicle only when the at least another amusement vehicle is in
substantial alignment with the transmitter; the controller being at
least one of: operably connected to the receiver and being
configured to decode the first signal for controlling the motor in
accordance with instructions included in the first signal; and
operably connected to the transmitter and being configured to
encode the second signal prior to sending it to the at least
another amusement vehicle via the transmitter; wherein the first
signal and the second signal are directional signals and require
substantial alignment between the amusement vehicles to be
received.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35USC .sctn.119(e) of
U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/864,936, filed on Aug.
12, 2013, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] (a) Field
[0003] The subject matter disclosed generally relates to amusement
vehicle such as go-karts, bump-karts, amusement boats and the like.
More particularly, the subject-matter disclosed relates to
amusement vehicles which can interact with other amusement vehicles
of a same amusement environment for vehicles and/or with an
amusement environment for vehicles.
[0004] (b) Related Prior Art
[0005] Kart racing or karting is a variant of open-wheel motorsport
with small, open, four-wheeled vehicles called karts, go-karts, or
gearbox/shifter karts depending on the design. They are usually
raced on scaled-down circuits. Karting is commonly perceived as the
stepping stone to the higher and more expensive ranks of
motorsports.
[0006] Kart racing is generally accepted as the most economic form
of motorsport available on four wheels. As a free-time activity, it
can be performed by almost anybody.
[0007] Referring to a study performed by the National Kart News in
the United States on customers currently attending go-kart
circuits, 52% of participants are between 22 and 35 years old, 25%
are between 10 and 21 years old and 23% are over 36 years old.
Moreover, 88% of the customers are male and 43% are professionals
or self-employed.
[0008] What emerge from this study is that there are mainly two
categories of people attending go-cart tracks: families looking
forward for good time, and young adults who love speed and car
racing sports. In addition, the study reports that 92% of
professional race car drivers got their start in karting, thus
reinforcing the image of the sport competition for young adult
clientele.
[0009] The go-kart market is about $500 million annually. There is
therefore a need for improvements related to go-kart vehicle (or
amusement vehicles) and go-kart circuits (or amusement environment
for vehicles).
[0010] As for example, BattleKart, a company from Belgium, also
disclosed a karting game to recreate video games such as Mario Kart
(Nintendo.TM.) and Crash TeamRacing (PlayStation.TM.). The system
used by BattleKart requires projection on the grounds of a karting
track, of virtual "elements" and of real "elements". Thus, the
system proposed by BattleKart allows for interactions between the
drivers/players (i.e., between the kart vehicles) and the
"elements" (virtual or not) that are projected on the track. The
system proposed by Battle Kart is thus based on the projection of
the object on the ground, on a localization equipment (such as a
GPS) and on a server. This setup for recreating a real-life Mario
Kart race or a real-life Crash TeamRacing race would be difficult
and expensive to integrate on already established karting tracks
around the globe as it would require introducing a complex system
(i.e., which includes a screen surrounding the tracks to show the
"elements" to the drivers/players and a GPS localization system in
communication with a server to identify the position of each one of
the drivers/players that are on the track) to existing setups.
Additionally, as this system requires the presence of a screen
surrounding the track, it would be hardly implementable on
outdooring karting recreation centers.
[0011] There is therefore a need for improved amusement vehicles
and improved amusement environments for vehicles.
SUMMARY
[0012] According to an embodiment, there is provided an amusement
vehicle for interacting with at least another amusement vehicle in
an amusement environment, the amusement vehicle comprising: a
chassis; a set of wheels for rotatably supporting the chassis on a
ground surface; a motor mounted on the chassis for propelling the
chassis on the ground surface; a controller operably connected to
the motor for controlling the motor; and at least one of: a
receiver mounted on the chassis for receiving a first directional
signal of the at least another amusement vehicle only when the at
least another amusement vehicle is in substantial alignment with
the receiver; and a transmitter mounted on the chassis for
transmitting a second directional signal to one of the at least
another amusement vehicle in substantial alignment with the
transmitter; the controller being at least one of: operably
connected to the receiver and being configured to decode the first
signal for controlling the motor in accordance with instructions
included in the first signal; and operably connected to the
transmitter and being configured to encode the second signal prior
to sending it to the at least another amusement vehicle via the
transmitter.
[0013] According to another embodiment, the amusement vehicle
further comprises a signal sensor for receiving a third signal from
at least one of: a decelerating interacting element, an
accelerating interacting element and a random interacting element
position on the ground surface of the amusement environment in
substantial alignment with the signal sensor, wherein the
controller is being operably connected to the signal sensor and
being configured to decode the third signal for controlling the
motor in accordance with instructions included in the third
signal.
[0014] According to a further embodiment, the transmitter is
located near a front portion of the chassis and the receiver is
located near a rear portion of the chassis.
[0015] According to yet another embodiment, at least one of the
first signal and the second signal is encoded to cause at least one
of: accelerating the amusement vehicle, accelerating the at least
another amusement vehicle, decelerating the amusement vehicle,
decelerating the at least another amusement vehicle, stopping the
at least another vehicle and side-slipping the at least another
vehicle.
[0016] According to another embodiment, the transmitter and the
receiver respectively comprises a wireless transmitter and a
wireless receiver.
[0017] According to a further embodiment, the wireless transmitter
and the wireless receiver respectively transmit a directional
signal selected from the group consisting of: infra-red and laser,
or any combination thereof.
[0018] According to yet another embodiment, the amusement vehicle
further comprises at least one of: a user interface mounted on the
chassis and operably connected to the controller for controlling
the amusement vehicle and communication with the at least another
amusement vehicle; an indicator mounted on the chassis and operably
connected to the controller for indicating to a driver of the
amusement vehicle information about the first and second signals; a
speaker mounted on the chassis and operably connected to the
controller for providing the driver of the amusement vehicle a
sonar indication; and a push button mounted on the chassis and
operably connected to the controller for allowing the driver of the
amusement vehicle to transmit the second signal to the at least
another amusement vehicle.
[0019] According to another embodiment, the indicator comprises at
least one of: a light indicator, a sound indicator and a vibration
indicator.
[0020] According to a further embodiment, the amusement vehicle
further comprises a speed controller mounted on the chassis and
operably connected to the controller for controlling the speed of
the vehicle in accordance with the instructions included in the
first signal.
[0021] According to yet another embodiment, the amusement vehicle
further comprises a communication system operatively connected to
the controller for allowing a circuit operator to manage at least
one of: the amusement environment and interactions between the
amusement vehicle and the at least another amusement vehicle.
[0022] According to another embodiment, there is provided a kit for
installing on an amusement vehicle having a chassis, a set of
wheels and a motor the amusement vehicle for interacting with at
least another amusement vehicle in an amusement environment, the
kit comprising: at least one of: a receiver to be mounted on the
chassis for receiving a first directional signal from the at least
another amusement vehicle only when the at least another amusement
vehicle is in substantial alignment with the receiver; and a
transmitter to be mounted on the chassis for transmitting a second
directional signal to one of the at least another amusement vehicle
in substantial alignment with the transmitter; and a controller to
be mounted on the chassis and to be at least one of: operably
connected to the receiver and to be configured to decode the first
signal for controlling the motor in accordance with instructions
included in the first signal; and operably connected to the
transmitter and to be configured to encode the second signal prior
to sending it to the at least another amusement vehicle via the
transmitter.
[0023] According to a further embodiment, the kit further comprises
at least one of a decelerating interacting element, an accelerating
interacting element and a random interacting element to be
positioned on the ground surface of the amusement environment.
[0024] According to yet another embodiment, the kit further
comprises a signal sensor for receiving a third signal from the at
least one of: the decelerating interacting element, the
accelerating interacting element and the random interacting element
positioned on the ground surface of the amusement environment in
substantial alignment with the signal sensor, wherein the
controller is to be operably connected to the signal sensor and
configured to decode the third signal for controlling the motor in
accordance with instructions included in the third signal.
[0025] According to another embodiment, at least one of the first
signal and the second signal comprises at least one of:
accelerating the amusement vehicle, accelerating the at least
another amusement vehicle, decelerating the amusement vehicle,
decelerating the at least another amusement vehicle, stopping the
at least another vehicle and side-slipping the at least another
vehicle.
[0026] According to another embodiment, the transmitter and the
receiver respectively comprises a wireless transmitter and a
wireless receiver.
[0027] According to a further embodiment, the wireless transmitter
and the wireless receiver respectively transmit and receive at
least one of: infra-red signals and radio-frequency identification
signals.
[0028] According to yet another embodiment, the kit further
comprises at least one of: a user interface to be mounted on the
chassis and operably connected to the controller for controlling
the amusement vehicle and communication with the at least another
amusement vehicle; an indicator to be mounted on the chassis and
operably connected to the controller for indicating to a driver of
the amusement vehicle information about the first and second
signals; a speaker to be mounted on the chassis and operably
connected to the controller for providing the driver of the
amusement vehicle a sonar indication; and a push button to be
mounted on the chassis and operably connected to the controller for
allowing the driver of the amusement vehicle to transmit the second
signal to the at least another amusement vehicle.
[0029] According to another embodiment, the kit further comprises a
speed controller to be mounted on the chassis and operably
connected to the controller for controlling the speed of the
vehicle in accordance with the instructions included in the first
signal.
[0030] According to a further embodiment, the kit further comprises
a communication system to be operatively connected to the
controller for allowing a circuit operator to manage at least one
of: the amusement environment and interactions between the
amusement vehicle and the at least another amusement vehicle.
[0031] According to another embodiment, there is provided an
amusement vehicle for interacting with at least another amusement
vehicle in an amusement environment, the amusement vehicle
comprising: a chassis; a set of wheels for rotatably supporting the
chassis on a ground surface; a motor mounted on the chassis for
propelling the chassis on the ground surface; a controller operably
connected to the motor for controlling the motor; and a receiver
located near a rear portion of the chassis for receiving a first
wireless signal of the at least another amusement vehicle only when
the at least another amusement vehicle is in substantial alignment
with the receiver; and a transmitter located near a front portion
of the chassis for transmitting a second directional signal to one
of the at least another amusement vehicle only when the at least
another amusement vehicle is in substantial alignment with the
transmitter; the controller being at least one of: operably
connected to the receiver and being configured to decode the first
signal for controlling the motor in accordance with instructions
included in the first signal; and operably connected to the
transmitter and being configured to encode the second signal prior
to sending it to the at least another amusement vehicle via the
transmitter; wherein the first signal and the second signal are
directional signals and require substantial alignment between the
amusement vehicles to be received.
[0032] Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will
become more apparent in light of the following detailed description
of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying
figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and
claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all
without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the
drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in
nature, and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject
matter is set forth in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure
will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken
in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates an amusement circuit of an amusement
environment in accordance with an embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 2 is a closed-up view of two amusement vehicles of FIG.
1;
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates an amusement vehicle in accordance with
another embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates an amusement vehicle in accordance with
another embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of an amusement vehicle in
accordance with another embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a controller in
accordance with another embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a transmitter in accordance
with another embodiment;
[0041] FIG. 8. is a top perspective view of a speed controller in
accordance with another embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of an amusement vehicle in
accordance with another embodiment, showing a receiver;
[0043] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a speed sensor in
accordance with another embodiment; and
[0044] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a signal sensor in
accordance with another embodiment.
[0045] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like
features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] In embodiments, there are disclosed amusement vehicles,
amusement environments for amusement vehicles and methods of using
the same.
[0047] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG.
1, there is shown an amusement environment 12 in accordance with an
embodiment. The environment 12 (hereinbelow referred to as
environment 12) allows one or a plurality of amusement vehicles 10
(hereinbelow referred to as vehicles 10) to circulate within an
amusement circuit 11 and to interact with one or more other
vehicles 10. The environment 12 further allows one or a plurality
of vehicles 10 to circulate within the amusement circuit 11 and to
interact with interacting elements such as, without limitation,
decelerating interacting elements 50, 56, accelerating interacting
elements 52 and random interacting elements 54, as described in
more detail below. As for example, the vehicle 10 may be, without
limitation, a go-kart, a bump-kart, a two-wheeler, a three-wheeler,
a four-wheeler, an amusement boat, a mountain bike, a bike of an
amusement center and the like.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 3 and according to another embodiment,
there is shown a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 is for interacting with
one or more other vehicle(s) 10 which circulate in the circuit 11
of the environment 12. As schematically shown, the vehicle 10
includes a chassis 14 and a set of wheels 16 which rotatably
supports the chassis 14 on a ground surface 18 (FIG. 1). The
vehicle 10 further includes a motor 20 mounted on the chassis 14
for propelling the chassis 14 on the ground surface 18 and a
controller 22 which is operably connected to the motor 20 for
controlling the motor 20. The vehicle 10 of FIG. 3 further includes
a receiver 24 and a transmitter 28. The receiver 24 is mounted on
the chassis 14 for receiving one or more signals 34 from the
transmitter 28 of one or more other vehicles 10. On the other hand,
the transmitter 28 is mounted on the chassis 14 for transmitting
one or more signals 32 to one or more other vehicles 10 through
their receivers 24. It is to be noted that the vehicle 10 may
include the receiver 24 only, the transmitter 28 only or both the
receiver 24 and the transmitter 28. For example, a vehicle 10 that
would include only a receiver 24 would only be able to receive one
or more receiving signals 34 from one or more other vehicles 10. On
the other hand, a vehicle 10 that would include only a transmitter
28 would only be able to transmit one or more transmitting signals
32 to one or more other vehicles 10.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, the transmitter 28 may be located near a
front portion 30 of the chassis 14 of the vehicle 10, while the
receiver 24 may be located near a rear portion 26 of the chassis 14
of the vehicle 10. However, it is to be noted that the transmitter
28 and the receiver 24 may be located at any position on the
chassis 14, such as to allow a driver of a first vehicle 10 to
transmit a transmitting signal 32 towards a receiver 24 of a second
vehicle 10. For example, the transmitter 28 and/or the receiver 24
may be located on one or both of the sides of the chassis 14, or
the transmitter 28 may be located in the rear portion 26 of the
chassis 14 while the receiver 24 may be located in the front
portion 30 of the chassis 14.
[0050] In an embodiment, the concept of "powers" (or privileges)
may be embedded into the vehicles 10 as in the traditional video
games, whereby, the user at the beginning of the game may have a
given amount of powers (or none), and the powers may be lost or
gained throughout the game in accordance with the performance. The
powers may be used to perform one or more of the following:
accelerating own vehicle 10, decelerating own vehicle 10 and/or
other vehicles 10, stop other vehicles 10, decelerate all other
vehicles 10, cause an accident etc. In the present scenario, the
transmitter 28 and the receiver 24 may be used for transmitting
and/or receiving powers from or to another vehicle 10, or from an
interacting element 50, 52, 54 or 56 (decelerating interacting
elements 50, 56, accelerating interacting elements 52 or random
interacting elements 54).
[0051] According to another embodiment, the transmitter 28 may be a
wireless transmitter 28. The transmitter 28 may transmit, without
limitation, infra-red signals, radio-frequency identification
signals (i.e., RFID signals) and any other suitable wireless
signals which may be read by a receiver 24 of another vehicle 10.
The receiver 24 may be configured such as to receive the signals
emitted from the transmitter 28.
[0052] According to an embodiment, the transmitter 28 of the
vehicle 10 may include an infra-red transmitter (i.e., an infra-red
cannon) for transmitting signals 32 to another vehicle 10.
[0053] In operation, the controller 22 of the vehicle 10, decodes
the signal 34 received from another vehicle 10 to execute the
instructions included in the signal 34. As discussed above, the
instructions may be for accelerating the vehicle 10, decelerating
the vehicle 10, adding powers from a teammate vehicle (e.g. a
teammate may send powers to each other on the signal 32), and
implement various other functions.
[0054] On the other hand, if the user intends to send a signal 34
to another vehicle 10 ahead/behind of them, the user may choose the
function that he wants the other vehicle to implement and send it
via the transmitter 28. In the present case, the encoder may embed
the function into the signal 34 and send the signal 34 via the
transmitter 28 to the other vehicle 10.
[0055] Although FIG. 3 shows the vehicle 10 as including one
receiver 24 and one transmitter 28, it is also possible to
implement the vehicle such that it includes only the transmitter 28
(i.e., without receiver 24), whereby the user of such vehicle may
only transmit to other vehicles 10 without receiving signals from
them.
[0056] In another embodiment, the vehicle 10 may include only the
receiver 24 (i.e., without transmitter 28) whereby the user of such
vehicle 10 may only receive signals 34 from others without
sending.
[0057] In a further embodiment, the vehicle 10 may further include
a plurality of receivers 24 for receiving a plurality of signals 34
and/or a plurality of transmitters 28 for transmitting a plurality
of signals 32. In the present scenario, the receivers 24 and/or
transmitters 28 may be provided in various locations on the chassis
14 such as, but not limited to, the front, sides and the back of
the vehicle 10.
[0058] According to another embodiment and referring now to FIG. 4,
the vehicle 10 may further include a user interface 38 mounted on
the chassis 14 and operatively connected to the controller 22. The
user interface 38 may be used for controlling the vehicle and for
controlling the communication with the other vehicles 10.
[0059] According to another embodiment and still referring to FIG.
4, the vehicle 10 may further include one or more indicator(s) 40
mounted on the chassis 14 and used as a power indicator to inform
the driver of their remaining powers and/or of the powers that have
been lost. The indicator 40 may be, without limitation, a light
indicator, a sound indicator, a vibration indicator, and the like.
For example, the user interface 38 may include a visual indicator
for indicating the powers that were originally available, the
powers that were lost, the powers that were gained, the powers that
were sent/used, the powers that were received, etc.
[0060] The indicator 40 may be provided in the user interface 38 or
on the steering wheel of the vehicle.
[0061] In another embodiment, the indicator 40 may also indicate
the function associated with the available powers such as:
available powers to accelerate his own vehicle 10, available powers
to decelerate other vehicles 10, etc.
[0062] In a preferred embodiment and referring now to FIG. 2, the
transmitters may be adapted to transmit a directional signal to the
other vehicle such as the infrared or laser and the like. To be
received by the other vehicle a substantial alignment between the
two vehicles 10 must exist. Directional signals are the preferred
communication means between the different amusement vehicles due to
the added challenge of aligning the vehicles before transmitting
the signal. By contrast, wireless signals that propagate in a
non-directional way are not preferred for use in the present
embodiments because they render the game less challenging and
imprecise because the signal may be received by another vehicle
other than the one that was intended to receive it. In the present
case, the driver may decelerate a friend rather than an opponent
and vice versa. This scenario is also preferred from the standpoint
of installation because it is easier to install the receiver and
transmitter at the front and rear portions of the car instead of
modifying the physical track/environment in which the game/race is
practiced for installing cameras, location detectors (GPS) and
projectors, as in the prior art. In the present case, the indicator
40 (FIG. 4) may be configured to alert a driver (i.e., emit a
sound, a light and the like) of the substantial alignment of his
vehicle 10a with the other vehicle 10b to which they intend to send
the signal 32. For example, when a first driver of a first vehicle
10a tries to transmit a decelerating power to decelerate a second
driver in a second vehicle 10b, the sonar indicator will emit a
predetermined sound to indicate to the first driver in vehicle 10a
if he is near or far of reaching the receiver 24 of the second
vehicle 10b. On the other hand, the sonar indicator of the second
vehicle 10b will emit another predetermined sound to indicate to
the second driver that the first driver is trying to reach his
receiver 24 with his signal 32 (i.e., decelerating power). It is to
be noted that any suitable light and/or sound indication may be
used to inform a driver of a vehicle 10 that he is transmitting
and/or receiving signals 32, 34 (i.e., powers).
[0063] For example, when the first driver of vehicle 10a (which is
following the second driver of vehicle 10b) is near to reach the
second driver of vehicle 10b with his decelerating power, the sonar
indicator may accelerate in a way such as to inform the first
and/or the second driver(s) that the power (i.e., decelerating
power) is near to be transmitted to the second driver. In this
case, the second driver may hear a different sound from his sonar
indicator, and will try to escape from the first driver (i.e., the
second driver does not want to receive the decelerating power).
Thus, a slow sound indication indicates to the first driver that
the receiver 24 of the second vehicle 10b can be reached, while a
faster sound indication indicates to the first driver that the
receiver 24 of the second vehicle 10b is almost reached or is very
close to be reached. Thus, the distance between the transmitter 28
of the first vehicle 10a and the second vehicle 10b is important to
transmit and receive signals 32, 34. The angle as well as the
distance and alignment between the transmitter 28 of the first
vehicle 10a and the second vehicle 10b may also be important to
transmit and receive signals 32, 34.
[0064] According to another embodiment, and referring to FIG. 4, a
speaker 42 may be mounted on the chassis 14 of the vehicle 10 to
provide the driver of the vehicle 10 to hear the sonar indication.
It is to be noted that the speaker 42 may be integrated to the
chassis 14 of the vehicle 10.
[0065] According to another embodiment and still referring to FIG.
4, the vehicle 10 may further include one or more push button 60 or
remote operatively connected to the controller 22 to allow the
driver of a vehicle 10 to transmit signals 32 to one or a plurality
of other vehicle(s) 10.
[0066] According to another embodiment and still referring to FIG.
4, there is shown that the vehicle 10 further includes an
acceleration pedal 46 and a speed controller 48 which are each
operatively connected to the controller 22 for controlling the
speed of the vehicle 10. Thus, when the vehicle 10 receives or uses
its acceleration power, the speed controller 48 allows the vehicle
10 to go faster (i.e., instead of simultaneously accelerating the
vehicle 10). The driver then has the possibility, if he wishes to
do so, to accelerate on the circuit 11 and to overtake the other
vehicles 10. On the other hand, when the vehicle 10 receives a
deceleration power, the speed controller 48 allows the vehicle 10
to reduce its speed (i.e., instead of simultaneously decelerating
the vehicle 10). The competitors then have the possibility to
overtake the vehicles 10 which are required to decelerate. The
speed controller 48 then allows accelerating and decelerating
actions which are safe on the circuit 11.
[0067] According to another embodiment, the vehicle 10 may further
include a battery 58 to operate at least one of, without
limitation, the transmitter 28, the controller 22, the receiver 24,
the speed controller 48, the user interface 38, and the like.
[0068] According to a further embodiment, there is provided a kit
for installing on a vehicle 10 which has a chassis 14, a set of
wheels 16 and a motor 20. As described above, the vehicle 10 is for
interacting with one or more other vehicles 10 of an environment 12
for vehicles 10. The kit includes a receiver 24 which is to be
mounted on the chassis 14 of the vehicle 10 for receiving a signal
34 from the one or more other vehicles 10 and/or a transmitter 28
which is to be mounted on the chassis 14 of the vehicle 10 for
transmitting a signal 32 to the one or more other vehicles 10. The
kit may further include a controller 22 which is to be operably
connected to the motor 20 of the vehicle 10 for controlling the
motor 20. Once connected to the motor 20 of the vehicle 10, the
controller 22 decodes and/or encodes the receiving signal 34 and/or
the transmitting signal 32 and implements instructions for
accelerating and/or decelerating the chassis 14 and/or the one or
more vehicles 10 of the environment 12.
[0069] According to another embodiment, the receiver 24 may be
installed on the rear portion 26 of the chassis 14 of the vehicle
10 while the transmitter 28 may be installed on the front portion
30 of the vehicle 10.
[0070] According to another embodiment, the controller 22 may be
mounted on a steering wheel (not shown) which is to replace an
existing steering wheel or the controller 22 may be mounted on an
existing steering wheel. It is to be noted that the controller 22
may also be mounted on a piece of equipment which is to be
introduced and/or mounted on the chassis 14 of the vehicle 10. The
controller 22 may also control other electronic devices within the
vehicle 10 such as, without limitation, the transmitter 28, the
receiver 24, the pedal brake (not shown), the acceleration pedal
46, lights (not shown), speakers 42, and the like. It is to be
noted that the indicator 40, the speaker 42 and/or the user
interface 38 may be integrated within the steering wheel.
[0071] In accordance with another embodiment, the amusements
vehicle(s) 10 and the amusement environment 12 may be utilized for
playing a go-kart game or a go-kart race. The go-kart game/race
requires one or a plurality of vehicle(s) 10 to travel on the
circuit 11. If there is a plurality of vehicles 10 on the circuit
11, the drivers of the plurality of vehicles 10 may form a team or
may play the game by themselves. The driver or the drivers may ride
the circuit 11 during a certain amount of time or for a
predetermined number of laps. The drivers may start a race at the
start/finish line 36 (FIG. 1). The drivers may need to recuperate a
certain amount of powers or they may be given a number of
predetermined powers taken from, without limitations, decelerating
interacting elements 50, 56, accelerating interacting elements 52,
stopping interacting elements, side-slipping interacting elements
and/or other random interacting elements 54. Once the race starts,
the drivers, in their vehicles 10, may transmit a signal 32 to
another vehicle 10 driven by another driver (FIG. 2). A driver may
decide to transmit a signal 32 which will decelerate the vehicle 10
of a competitor. However, the driver may also decide to transmit a
signal 32 which will accelerate the vehicle 10 of a team mate
driver. The driver of the vehicle 10 may also transmit a signal 32
which will stop completely the vehicle 10 of a competitor. The
driver of the vehicle 10 may further transmit a signal 32 which
will make the vehicle 10 of a competitor side-slip down the ground
surface 18 of the circuit 11. A driver may also receive a signal 34
from a competitor which will decelerate his vehicle 10. However,
the driver may also receive a signal 34 from a team mate driver
which will accelerate his vehicle 10. The driver of the vehicle 10
may also receive a signal 34 from a competitor which will stop
completely his vehicle 10. The driver of the vehicle 10 may further
receive a signal 34 from a competitor which will make his vehicle
10 side-slips down the ground surface 18 of the circuit 11.
[0072] According to another embodiment, the interacting elements
(decelerating interacting elements 50, 56, accelerating interacting
elements 52 and random interacting elements 54) may include
proximity sensors such as magnetic interacting elements such as to
be transmitted to the receiver 24 of a vehicle 10. Thus, the
receiver 24 of a vehicle 10 may further include a magnetic signal
receiver such as to receive magnetic signals from the interacting
elements. For example, the magnetic signal receiver may be located
under the chassis of the vehicle 10 such as to receive the magnetic
signal when the vehicle 10 circulates on a proximity sensor of an
interacting element 50, 52, 54 or 56.
[0073] According to another embodiment, the vehicle 10 may further
include a GPS (not shown) for allowing an operator of the
environment 12 to be informed of the position in time of one or a
plurality of vehicles 10.
[0074] In accordance with a further embodiment, after completing
one lap, a driver may position his vehicle 10 such as to receive
additional powers by receiving signals 34 taken from the random
interacting elements 54 positioned on the ground surface 18 of the
circuit 11. On the other hand, at any time or position when
completing a lap, a driver may position his vehicle 10 such as to
receive additional powers and/or such as to lose gained powers by
receiving signals 34 taken from the random interacting elements 54,
the decelerating interacting elements 50, the accelerating
interacting elements 52 and/or the decelerating interacting
elements 56. For example, if a receiver 24 of a vehicle 10
circulates aligned on a random interacting element 54, the vehicle
10 may receive signals 34 on an arbitrary manner, and the
controller 22 would decode and implement instructions for
accelerating, decelerating, side-slipping and/or stopping his
vehicle 10 and/or another vehicle 10. If a receiver 24 of a vehicle
10 circulates aligned on a decelerating interacting element 50, the
vehicle 10 may receive signals 34, and the controller 22 would
decode and implement instructions for decelerating his vehicle 10
and/or another vehicle 10 (i.e., in the case where all the drivers
from a same team would decelerate at the same time during a race).
If a receiver 24 of a vehicle 10 circulates aligned on an
accelerating interacting element 52, the vehicle 10 may receive
signals 34, and the controller 22 would decode and implement
instructions for accelerating his vehicle 10 and/or another vehicle
10 (i.e., in the case where it would be possible for all the
drivers from a same team to accelerate at the same time during a
race). If a receiver 24 of a vehicle 10 circulates aligned on a
decelerating interacting element 56 placed along the borders of the
circuit 11 for example, the vehicle 10 may receive signals 34, and
the controller 22 would decode and implement instructions for
decelerating and/or stopping his vehicle and/or another vehicle 10
(i.e., in the case where all the drivers from a same team would
decelerate at the same time during a race). Thus, the driver of a
vehicle 10 is capable of controlling his and/or one or more other
vehicle 10.
[0075] It is to be noted that when a driver has powers, he may use
them whenever his best for him to use them for his vehicle 10, or
for another vehicle 10 (i.e., of a vehicle 10 which would be in his
team or in an adverse team).
[0076] According to another embodiment and referring to FIG. 4, the
vehicle 10 may further include a communication system 44
operatively connected to the controller 22 for allowing a circuit
operator to manage the game between the vehicles 10. Thus, the
communication system 44 may be a wireless communication (i.e., such
as a radio-frequency communication) system for allowing the circuit
operator to be informed about the position of the vehicles 10 on
the circuit 11, their speeds, their powers, and the like. Thus, the
circuit operator may manage the beginning of the game or race, the
end of the game or race, the power attribution, to control of
audacious competitors, and the like at a distance from the circuit
11. The wireless communication system 44 may further allow timing a
driver or a plurality of drivers performing a race on the circuit
11. The wireless communication system 44 may, without limitation,
reconfigure flexible parameters of a game at distance by an
operator, start the game at distance, from the operator position,
control the speed of drivers on the circuit 11, stop vehicle 10 on
the circuit 11 (i.e., to penalize too audacious drivers), to
attribute additional powers to drivers that are to lose the game,
to give the energy indicator of the battery 58 of the vehicles, to
generate and centralize the timing results of the race, and the
like.
[0077] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there are shown respectively
an amusement vehicle 10 in accordance with an embodiment and the
controller 22 mounted on a steering wheel 23 of the amusement
vehicle 10. As shown, the controller 22 is further in operable
communication with a user interface 38 as described above and which
includes one or more indicators 40. The controller 22 is further in
operable communication with a speaker 42 and push buttons 60 as
described above.
[0078] According to one embodiment and referring now to FIG. 7,
there is shown a transmitter 28. According to this embodiment, the
transmitter 28 is a wireless transmitter 28, but more particularly
an infra-red transmitter or an infra-red cannon for transmitting
signals 32 to another vehicle 10. The transmitter 28 is mounted
near the front portion 30 of the vehicle 10. As mentioned,
transmission of a signal 32 to another vehicle 10 requires a
substantial alignment between the two vehicles 10 especially in the
case of a directional signal such as the infrared.
[0079] According to one embodiment and referring now to FIG. 8,
there is shown a speed controller 48 mounted on the chassis 14 of
the vehicle 10. Thus, when the vehicle 10 receives or uses its
acceleration power, the speed controller 48 allows the vehicle 10
to go faster (i.e., instead of simultaneously accelerating the
vehicle 10). The driver then has the possibility, if he wishes to
do so, to accelerate on the circuit 11 and to overtake the other
vehicles 10. On the other hand, when the vehicle 10 receives a
deceleration power, the speed controller 48 allows the vehicle 10
to reduce its speed (i.e., instead of simultaneously decelerating
the vehicle 10). The competitors then have the possibility to
overtake the vehicles 10 which are required to decelerate. The
speed controller 48 then allows accelerating and decelerating
actions which are safe on the circuit 11.
[0080] According to one embodiment and referring now to FIG. 9,
there is shown a rear view of an amusement vehicle, showing a
receiver 24 (or target 24). According to this embodiment, the
receiver 24 is a wireless receiver 24, but more particularly an
infra-red receiver for receiving signals 34 from another vehicle
10. The receiver 24 is mounted near the rear portion 26 of the
vehicle 10. As mentioned, reception of a signal 34 from another
vehicle 10 requires a substantial alignment between the two
vehicles 10 especially in the case of a directional signal such as
the infrared.
[0081] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a speed sensor 62 in
accordance with another embodiment. The speed sensor 62 is
operatively connected to the speed controller 48. One of the
purpose of the speed sensor 62 is to ensure that all vehicles are
at the same speed during the game/race.
[0082] Referring now to FIG. 11 and according to an embodiment,
there is shown a signal sensor 64. As described above, the
interacting elements (decelerating interacting elements 50, 56,
accelerating interacting elements 52 and random interacting
elements 54) may include proximity sensors such as magnetic
interacting elements such as to be transmitted to the signal sensor
64 which mounted underneath the chassis 14 on FIG. 11. Thus, the
signal sensor 64 of a vehicle 10 may further include a magnetic
signal receiver such as to receive magnetic signals from the
interacting elements. For example, the magnetic signal receiver may
be located under the chassis of the vehicle 10 such as to receive
the magnetic signal when the vehicle 10 circulates on a proximity
sensor of an interacting element 50, 52, 54 or 56.
[0083] The amusement vehicle 10 and the amusement environment 12,
which includes the circuit 11, the decelerating interacting
elements 50, 56, the accelerating interacting elements 52 and the
random interacting elements 54, provide a driver to live an
amusement experience since the driver may play a game or perform a
race while driving the vehicle 10 within the circuit 11 alone or
with one or a plurality of other drivers. The vehicle 10 and the
environment 12 may allow the driver to create a plurality of
overtakes and to have more fun compared to a standard race in a
standard vehicle (i.e., go-kart vehicle, bump-kart, two-wheeler,
three-wheeler, four-wheeler, amusement boat, mountain bike, bike of
an amusement center and the like).
[0084] The vehicle 10 and the environment 12, which includes the
circuit 11, may give other functionalities to existent vehicle and
environment.
[0085] The vehicle 10 and the environment 12 allow the re-creation
of the universe of a real life video game on an existing go-kart
circuit.
[0086] While preferred embodiments have been described above and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to
those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without
departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered
as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *